India Adds 405 Defence Items to Sixth Positive Indigenisation List With ₹3,070 Crore Potential

India has further strengthened its drive towards self-reliance in defence production with the notification of the sixth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) covering 405 strategically important defence items. The latest move is aimed at expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing dependence on imported components and equipment.

The list carries an estimated business potential of ₹3,070 crore and includes a broad range of Line Replaceable Units, sub-systems, sub-assemblies, spares, components and raw materials required across India’s defence ecosystem. The items cover several major platforms operated by the armed forces.

The latest additions include equipment and components associated with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, Light Utility Helicopter, T-72 and T-90 tanks, and BMP-II infantry combat vehicle. The list also covers requirements linked to warships, missiles, radars, sonars and other critical defence systems.

Of the 405 items, 389 are associated with Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), while 16 are linked to the Indian Coast Guard. Their inclusion is intended to create additional opportunities for Indian manufacturers to develop and supply these requirements domestically.

The initiative is also expected to benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups and other private-sector defence companies. By encouraging indigenous development of components and sub-systems, the government aims to build a broader and more resilient defence industrial supply chain.

The SRIJAN Defence Portal, launched in 2020, remains an important part of this effort. More than 33,000 defence items have been offered for indigenisation through the portal, with over 15,700 items successfully indigenised so far. The broader initiative has contributed to import substitution estimated at around ₹9,000 crore, while DPSUs have also placed procurement orders worth approximately ₹10,000 crore with domestic suppliers.

The sixth Positive Indigenisation List represents another step in India’s long-term Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence strategy. By progressively shifting the development and production of critical defence requirements to Indian industry, the government seeks to strengthen domestic supply chains, encourage technological development and improve the country’s overall defence manufacturing capability.